In condo buildings, having effective security is crucial. You must take the right steps to keep residents and guests safe to avoid serious liability issues. Here are some targeted strategies that property managers and board members should consider implementing to enhance security.
Give On-Site Staff Good Communication Tools
If your staff can’t readily reach one another, they may not be able to respond to security threats in a timely manner. Relying on cell phones might not be the best approach to fostering communication among on-site staff. Network coverage gaps and the high margin for simple human error, like accidentally silencing a phone, create too many variables. Good communication infrastructure facilitates consistency and efficiency.
Using dedicated two-way radios equips staff with a reliable and professional way to stay in close contact. Ultimately, being able to communicate reliably and continuously helps property management staff work together to keep the premises secure.
Maintain and Upgrade Video Surveillance
Surveillance systems reduce condo buildings’ risk of exposure involving criminal activities on the premises. The presence of cameras and signage notifying people that they are on camera tends to deter trespass, theft, and vandalism.
It is important to recognize that a malfunction with a security camera merits immediate attention. First and foremost, staff won’t have access to the footage that they would need in order to identify and respond to an incident on-site.
In addition, forgoing repairs when cameras are out of order can create considerable liability concerns. For this reason, property managers never use the dummy cameras that were somewhat popular years ago. Also, fixing existing cameras should take priority over installing new cameras in a condo.
It is advisable for cameras to have a motion-activated setting. This makes it possible to avoid recording more footage than necessary. It also makes the process of searching for footage a little bit easier. Buildings should also consider using systems that send real-time alerts when they detect motion. This enables team members to mount a rapid response when someone is attempting to gain entry to a restricted access area.
Audit Access Control Systems
It is a good practice for large condo buildings to use electronic access control systems rather than traditional locks. When one person loses a key, managers don’t want to be in the position of having to rekey a lock and distribute replacement keys to an entire building. Electronic key fobs are a more secure and affordable way to exercise control over who enters a building’s entryways.
However, managers that utilize this technology commonly overlook the importance of auditing their condos’ access control systems. However, it is imperative to periodically generate reports that show all active fobs. Managers should avoid the outliers that they can’t identify, and they should verify that unit owners do not have more active fobs than the condo’s governing documents allow. Deactivating fobs that are no longer in use could prevent them from winding up in the wrong hands.
Use These Strategies to Strengthen Condo Security
The people who live in condos rely on boards and managers to keep buildings safe. Simple but strategic enhancements can empower a condo’s leadership to meet their residents’ expectations and practice excellent security management.
